FAA begins probe into fatal plane crash on I-75

October 30, 2009|By Michael Jones, Staff Writer

CORWITH TWP. — Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) field office in Grand Rapids arrived in Otsego County soon after Tuesday’s plane crash near Vanderbilt which claimed the lives of two Gaylord men.

Authorities from the Gaylord Michigan State Police (MSP) post reported Dr. Patrick J. McNamara, 52, pilot of the small Aeronca fixed-wing two-seat aircraft and his passenger, Christopher A. Hasty, 32, owner of Total Power Sports in Gaylord, were killed when McNamara reportedly attempted an emergency landing on I-75 around 6:28 p.m.

Friends of McNamara, owner of Image North, a radiology specialty clinic in Gaylord, said the radiologist was an accomplished pilot and flew for both business and pleasure. In addition to the Aeronca, FAA registry information indicated two other aircraft were registered under Screamin Aviation LLC which listed McNamara as owner.

FAA Great Lakes Regional spokesperson Tony Molinaro said it could be months before a final report is completed to determine the cause of the crash.

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Molinaro said once Grand Rapids FAA investigators Will Elliott and John Parish complete their investigation and written report, which could take several weeks, a copy would be forwarded to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) where a final factual report determining the probable cause of the crash would be generated.

Gaylord MSP post Sgt. Jeff Gorno, who said the crash occurred on southbound I-75 near Sturgeon Valley Road, indicated the plane may have been experiencing engine trouble when it attempted to land and nearly hit several vehicles before it crashed into a roadside ditch. Gorno said an eyewitness reported the plane had circled I-75 several times before crash landing alongside the roadway’s shoulder.

Otsego County Fire Department (OCFD) Chief Dave Duffield said the Jaw-of-Life were employed by Otsego County Heavy Rescue to assist in removing the two men from the plane’s wreckage prior to their transport by Otsego County EMS/Rescue to Otsego Memorial Hospital (OMH) where Hasty was pronounced dead.

McNamara was transported from OMH to Munson Medical Center in Traverse City where he later died from injuries sustained in the crash.

Emergency personnel from the Vanderbilt-Corwith Township Fire Department and officers from Gaylord MSP post, Otsego County Sheriff’s Department and Gaylord City Police assisted at the crash scene.

Gaylord Regional Airport manager Matt Barresi said due to the continuing FAA investigation he was not at liberty to discuss details of the crash, including whether McNamara’s plane had recently taken off from the airport, which is about nine miles south of where the small plane went down, or whether the pilot was making preparations to land prior to the crash.

“We are a general aviation airport and as such pilots don’t have to file a flight plan and typically don’t if it’s for something short,” said Barresi, who stated he could not report whether in this instance a flight plan had been filed because of the ongoing investigation. Barresi indicated McNamara had several aircraft which he boarded at the regional airport.

“We have flight plans filed all the time, especially for commercial and longer flights involving private pilots but with the private owners they are not required — it’s more a matter which is up to them,” Barresi said.

The airport manager indicated that the plane wreckage had been moved to a safe location at the airport and until the investigation was completed the plane would be considered the property of the NTSB and could not be moved without their permission.

Molinaro said during the course of the investigation every aspect of the crash would be checked.

“We send folks out to look at the plane, check to see if there was anything on the radar. They look at maintenance records of the plane, talk to any witnesses, look at weather conditions and will talk to the coroner and look at toxicology reports before turning everything over to the NTSB.”

The FAA spokesperson added, “You look at everything — the extremities, the wings, propeller, check for metal fatigue, the engine, flight control areas. You’re looking for any kind of clue to help explain what may have happened. It may be 10 to 12 months before the final report is released. It’s thorough and it takes time.”